| Duration: | 12 Day(s) - 11 Night(s) |
| Tour Category: | Seasonal Events Tours |
12 Day Alberta Landscape and Cultural Discovery
Style: Tour of Distinction
Day 1: Calgary – Banff, AB
This morning we depart Calgary and travel through the foothills before entering the great Canadian Rockies and arrive in Banff National Park, the first National Park in Canada and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Overnight: Banff Inn (Dinner)
Day 2: Lake Louise Day Trip
Explore one of the world’s greatest mountain highways while we travel the stunning Icefield Parkway to the Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre. From the discovery centre, we will board the Ice Explorer, a specially designed vehicle that will take us right on to the Athabasca Glacier. Travelling back along the Parkway we arrive in Lake Louise, considered the ‘Jewell of the Rockies’. There you will have some free time to take a canoe ride across the lake, a short hike or a leisurely walk and explore the famed Chateau Lake Louise.
Overnight: Banff Inn (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 3: Banff, AB
Start the morning with a ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain on the Banff Gondola and enjoy a panoramic view of the valley below. Continue on a tour of Banff including Surprise Corner, Bow Falls and the mysterious hoodoos, ending with an interpretive cruise on Lake Minnewanka. Later this afternoon, a guided horseback trail ride will surely be a highlight of the day.
Overnight: Banff Inn (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 4: Banff – Waterton, AB
Bid farewell to Banff and the Rocky Mountains as we travel to Waterton, along the historic Cowboy Trail. On the way, we will visit the Chinook Honey Company, one of the best honey producers in Canada and Eau Claire Distillery, Alberta’s first independent craft distillery. Later discover the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump with a guided tour. We will arrive in beautiful Waterton early this evening.
Overnight: Waterton Lakes Lodge (Breakfast)
Day 5: Waterton, AB
Waterton Lakes National Park has an incredible mountainous landscape. A tour of the park will conclude with a leisurely boat cruise on Waterton Lake. This afternoon enjoys some time at leisure. There’s something for everyone at Waterton Lakes: great hikes, horseback riding, canoeing, Red Rock Canyon, and even scooter rentals.
Overnight: Waterton Lakes Lodge (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 6: Waterton – Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park, AB
Today we travel to Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park, through the rolling hills and grasslands of southern Alberta. At Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park where histories, stories and dreams become one, we embark on a guided interpretive tour of this amazing site.
Set in the prairie grasslands of southern Alberta, Writing-on-Stone is a sacred landscape; the spectacular Milk River valley contains the largest concentration of First Nations petroglyphs (rock carvings) and pictographs (rock paintings) in the great plains of North America. Later this afternoon we will continue our journey to Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park, a truly hidden gem of the prairies!
Overnight: Elkwater Lake Lodge (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 7: Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park, AB
Discover a recreational haven for lovers of mountain biking, hiking, equestrian activities, water sports, bird watching and beaches. The landscape and elevation create unique habitats for wildlife, flora and fauna.
Overnight: Elkwater Lake Lodge (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 8: Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park – Medicine Hat, AB
Explore the outstanding landscapes, prairies and sights of southeastern Alberta during your trip from Cypress Hills to Medicine Hat. Visit the Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre.
A marvel of contemporary Canadian architecture on traditional Blackfoot territory, just steps from the South Saskatchewan River, the Esplanade occupies an eminent position on downtown’s elegant First Street South. From its rooftop terrace, you can see Saamis, the shoreline escarpment which is the setting for the story of how Medicine Hat got its name.
Overnight: Comfort Inn Medicine Hat (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 9: Medicine Hat, AB
Often described as an oasis in the midst of the prairies, the historic city of Medicine Hat has a vibrant art and cultural scene and a down-home atmosphere. Tour the Historic Clay District – the Medalta pottery made here was shipped around the world and partake in a Progressive Cafe tour, highlighting places favoured by the locals.
Overnight: Comfort Inn Medicine Hat (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 10: Medicine Hat – Drumheller, AB
Explore the world's richest deposits of dinosaur bones! Visiting Dinosaur Provincial Park is like stepping into another world. There's a chance for a new discovery around every corner! Explore badlands, camp under the stars or participate in an authentic dinosaur dig. Be amazed by the abundant fossils, unusual wildlife and stunning landscapes of this UNESCO World Heritage Site near Brooks, Alberta. This evening we arrive in Drumheller, the heart of Dinosaur Valley.
Overnight: Canalta Jurassic Hotel (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 11: Drumheller – Calgary, AB
No visit to Drumheller would be complete without a visit to the Royal Tyrrell Museum, a world-renowned paleontological museum with a collection of more than 130,000 fossils. Departing Drumheller we will stop at the unexpectedly beautiful Horseshoe Canyon viewpoint. This afternoon we arrive back in the bustling city of Calgary and have plenty of time to explore the fascinating Historical Village of Heritage Park.
Overnight: International Hotel (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 12: Depart Calgary, AB
After breakfast, say farewell to your fellow travellers and depart Calgary with fond memories from a fantastic cultural journey. (Breakfast)
Tour Includes:
11 nights of accommodation (3.5–4 star), professional Tour Leader, transportation on deluxe motorcoach, 21 meals: 11 breakfasts, 10 dinners.
Highlights:
Lake Minnewanka Boat Cruise
Sulphur Mountain Gondola in Banff
Ice Explorer ride on Athabasca Glacier
Guided Horseback Trail Ride
Eau Claire Distillery Tour and Tasting
Chinook Honey Company
UNESCO World Heritage Site Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump
Waterton Lake Boat Cruise
Archaeological Preserve Tour at Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park
Esplanade Arts and Heritage Centre
Progressive Café Tour in Medicine Hat
Medalta Potteries in Medicine Hat
Guided Hike at Dinosaur Provincial Park
Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology
Heritage Park Historical Village
Pricing is per person (does not include 5% tax)
